LAKE ANNA, VA — Winter Storm Fern has moved through the area with limited impacts, though utility officials from Rappahannock Electric caution that prolonged, extreme cold in the days ahead could still lead to outages and other disruptions.

“We were very fortunate that conditions were not nearly as bad as we had prepared for, and we appreciate that our member-owners prepared as well,” said Casey Hollins, managing director of communications and public relations for REC. “But we also want to urge our member-owners not to let their guard down and to remain prepared for the cold days ahead.”

REC reported that it will continue monitoring conditions and remains ready to respond should outages occur. In advance of the storm, the cooperative pre-staged response crews and equipment and requested additional line crews from across the country, including personnel from electric cooperatives in Minnesota.

“The rural electric cooperative community really pulled together for Winter Storm Fern,” Hollins said. “Although this storm didn’t bring disastrous effects, we were confident, with the help of our fellow cooperatives, that we were ready. We really appreciate the linemen and all personnel who took time away from their families and homes to be here for us.”

Storm Impacts and Forecast

Local weather conditions largely aligned with forecasts, according to Lake Anna meteorologist Michael Eckert, who noted that the most concerning threat—freezing rain—failed to materialize across much of Virginia.

“Our first big winter storm in four years is in the rearview mirror,” Eckert said. He reported approximately 4.5 inches of snow and 5.2 inches of sleet in the Lake Anna area, with a brief period of freezing rain late in the event that left a light glaze. “The density of the snow, sleet, and glaze is pretty incredible. Shoveling is very difficult, so be careful,” he added.

Eckert said the combined total of snow, sleet, and glaze measured 9.7 inches, with a water equivalent of 2.20 inches—among the highest 24-hour totals since late summer storms last year. Looking ahead, he warned that severe cold will persist through the week, with morning lows near or below zero, wind chills dropping below zero at times, and little chance of temperatures reaching freezing for 10 days or more. A weak system could bring flurries Thursday, and long-range models hint at another potential system around Feb. 1.

Follow Michael Eckert on Facebook here

Other Preparedness Resources

REC encourages members to review winter outage-preparation and safety guidance and to take precautions during the extended cold snap. Resources include:

• Winter outage-preparation and safety: https://www.myrec.coop/stormprep
• Storm safety tips: https://www.myrec.coop/storm-safety
• Generator safety: https://www.myrec.coop/generatorsafety

If an outage occurs, members can report it by texting OUT to 63273, reporting online at https://www.myrec.coop/out, using the MyREC SmartHub mobile app, or calling 800-552-3904. Outage status and updates are available through REC’s Outage Center at https://www.myrec.coop/outagecenter.

As Arctic air lingers, officials urge residents to dress in layers, limit time outdoors, protect pipes from freezing, and continue monitoring local forecasts and utility updates.

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